OSCL Jaguars XI cart off Independence Cup trophy

By Ravi Madholall in Toronto

Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) Jaguars X1 carted off the Guyana Independence Cup trophy after beating Berbice Vipers of the Canadian Softball Cricket Association (CSCA) by 26 runs on Saturday at St. Bedes venue, Scarborough.
On a sun-drenched day of the four-team event which was organised by the OSCL in collaboration with the Guyana Consulate in Toronto, saw Jaguars X1 tallying up a sufficient 74-6 off the 10-overs while Berbice Vipers were skittled out for 48 in the final over when they replied.
Both finalists notched up comfortable victories in the preceding semi-final encounters. At Littles, Jaguars X1 roared to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Masters X1 while at St. Bedes, Berbice Vipers trounced OSCL Kaieteur X1 by 28 runs. Both games were 10-over per side.
Kaieteur X1 participated after a side from the Ontario Round-arm Softball Cricket Association failed to show up. However, in the championship fixture, OSCL X1’s innings was built around a steady 25 from Kumar Doodnauth and 13 from Avinash Sukdeo. Eyon Arsula grabbed two wickets for 12 runs from his maximum two overs.
When Berbice Vipers appeared at the crease, no batsman was able to make an impression as wickets fell with a great degree of regularity, thanks to some penetrative bowling performances from the Jaguars’ combination.
Sukdeo returned with the ball to claim two wickets for 9 runs from his two overs while Doodnauth produced a fine all-round display to be named man-of-the-match. He finished with one for 8 off his two overs while he took a brilliant catch. Skipper Navin Singh and Mahesh Richards supported admirably with the ball to pick up a wicket apiece.

Doodnauth was given a free flight to Guyana and back, compliments of Fly Jamaica while Arsula also received the same award for his Most Valuable Player performance. Arsula, in the semi-final, got a hat-trick, which was very instrumental for his team advancing to the final.
Manager of the victorious team, Kim Sue, expressed elation and praised the side to exhibit such wonderful performances. She stated that from the first round, the guys bowled and batted fantastically and was very optimistic they would have continued with the same momentum.
Presenting at the softball extravaganza was the Acting Consul General for the Guyana Consulate in Toronto Mischelle Butters and she spoke enthusiastically about the event which can be seen as an occasion that brings great unity.
She also emphasized the importance of having the Guyanese Diaspora at a function of this nature and declared that Sports is the key to togetherness among other elements in life.
Butters mentioned that her Consulate was more than pleased to be associated with the day’s event and she expressed her gratitude to the coordinators: Albert Ramcharran, Victor Yacoom and David Adams for their commitment and organisation. He thanked the teams for their participation too.
Meanwhile, the event also marked the celebration of Guyana’s 50th Independence in which Butters echoed similar sentiments from Guyanese dignitaries as well.